Book Club Discussion: Decentering Whiteness Table of Contents 1. Entry Points into the Material 2. DEI, Affirmative Action, and the Purpose of Policy 3. Empathy vs. Sympathy 4. A Note on the Book Club Format This was a live book club conversation with Dr. K and a community member discussing the current book selection. The conversation focused on the book's core arguments around whiteness, systemic bias, and what it actually takes to create structural change — as well as some points of genuine pushback and personal reflection. 1. Entry Points into the Material Corporate DEI training was discussed as often feeling performative and tokenistic. Critical race theory was seen as more meaningful because it addresses systems rather than individual behavior. The book was seen as doing similar work — getting at why DEI efforts so often fall short of their stated goals. 2. DEI, Affirmative Action, and the Purpose of Policy The discussion reframed the purpose of DEI training — not as a tool to change hearts and minds, but to establish that a norm exists so violations can be held accountable legally or institutionally. Behavior change is a byproduct, not the primary goal. The book argues that intent doesn't equal effect, and that the dominant culture's approach to DEI has historically been about doing the minimum rather than restructuring systems. The discussion echoed this with the broken bone and band-aid analogy — the issue isn't that the band-aid exists, it's that the person who broke the bone is upset they didn't get one too. Affirmative action was discussed as something that dominant groups consistently frame as unfair, rather than as a correction for systems never designed to include everyone. 3. Empathy vs. Sympathy The book argues against centering empathy in this work. Dr. K raised a distinction: what the book describes and argues against is closer to sympathy — feeling bad for someone — rather than true empathy, which involves actually feeling with them. She agreed sympathy isn't enough.

Book club scheduled for April 10! Join us to discuss "Decentering whiteness in the workplace: A guide for equity and inclusion" by Dr. Janice Asare. I rented my copy from my library. If you want to purchase, this link will send a commission to myself and an Independent Black- and woman-owned bookstore in D.C.

Alright readers, what are we reading next in book club? I have the ones I pitched last time, as well as some that y'all have generated. Please list your recommendations, and I'll start a poll! So far we have: Seen, Heard & Paid: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/seen-heard-and-paid-the-new-work-rules-for-the-marginalized_alan-henry/29720798/?resultid=a9530a2b-1bef-44a3-98d9-05a162df0b0e#edition=60477627&idiq=51599431 The First, The Few & The Only https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-first-the-few-the-only-how-women-of-color-can-redefine-power-in-corporate-america_deepa-purushothaman/28890659/ Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735573/decentering-whiteness-in-the-workplace-by-janice-gassam-asare/ Full of Myself https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/full-of-myself-notes-on-black-womanhood_austin-channing-brown/54278370/ The Secret Handshake: Mastering the Politics of the Business Inner Circle https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-secret-handshake-mastering-the-politics-of-the-business-inner-circle_kathleen-kelley-reardon/306762/?resultid=b71aa231-eeaa-4504-b004-135b04f5ec12#edition=2583657&idiq=2862970 Clash: How to Thrive in a Multicultural World: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/45459042-111c-4911-8f61-74cff5ae6bba

Please mark your availability to discuss the book, "Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace: A Guide for Equity and Inclusion" by Dr. Janice Gassam Asare https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfII5gdrE-5jPElA5LGsaWNk-sBhMnPlia3Sg3rlXKFfZLmBQ/viewform?usp=dialog

Hi y'all, Please mark your availability to discuss the book, "Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace: A Guide for Equity and Inclusion" by Janice Gassam Asare https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfII5gdrE-5jPElA5LGsaWNk-sBhMnPlia3Sg3rlXKFfZLmBQ/viewform?usp=dialog